Leaving Basra

Britain announced it planned to slash its forces in Iraq by roughly half next spring, which would give the biggest U.S. partner in the war just 2,500 troops. This will leave Basra, Iraq's second city, in "near chaos," said Timothy Phelps in News

What happened

Britain announced it planned to slash its forces in Iraq by roughly half next spring, which would give the biggest U.S. partner in the war just 2,500 troops. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday that British troops would switch from combat duty to an “overwatch” role, and focus on helping Iraqi forces take over responsibility for the nation��s security.

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